The effects of reinforcer pairing and fading on preschoolers' snack selections

Abstract

The effects of reinforcement pairing and fading on preschoolers' snack selections were evaluated in a multiple baseline design. Baseline preferences for snack options were assessed via repeated paired-item preference assessments. Edible, social, and activity-based reinforcers were then exclusively paired with a less preferred snack option. Once the snack paired with reinforcement was selected most frequently, the three types of reinforcement were systematically faded. Frequent selections of the previously less preferred snack option were produced with paired reinforcement, but were disrupted for all children as the paired reinforcement was reduced to low levels. These data showed that paired reinforcement was initially effective in increasing preference for the originally less preferred snack options, but more permanent changes in the value of the snack options were not achieved. Conditions for producing persistent changes in children's snack choices are discussed.

Figure 1

Pre- and post-MSWO preference assessments of 15 snack foods for Tim, Susan, and Jessica. Filled circles represent pretests, and open circles represent posttests. Asterisks above data points represent snacks that were paired with reinforcement.

Figure 2

Pairing and fading assessments for Tim, Susan, and Jessica. Circles represent baseline, and triangles indicate pairing and fading sessions. The numbers above the triangles indicate fading steps.